Jermaine O'Neal's career, viewed in hindsight, takes on the shape of a slasher film. He got the rawest cosmic deal of his generation. He sat in Portland, flourished in Indiana, and suffered through an aborted phantom season that could have seen him realize new heights. Then he started to get hurt all the time.

RealGM Wiretap

Most NBA Execs Would Start Franchise With Luka Doncic Over Zion Williamson

Apr 28, 2020 2:56 PM

A straw poll of 20 NBA coaches, scouts and executives were asked by ESPN to pick who they would choose to build around between Luka Doncic, Zion Williamson, Ja Morant and Trae Young.

Doncic received an overwhelming 17 first place votes and third second place votes. Williamson finished second with one first place vote, 11 second place votes and seven their place votes. Morant received two first place votes, six second place votes, nine third place votes and three fourth place votes. Young finished a distant fourth with zero first or second place votes.

"Luka is a known quantity as a total stud," one Eastern Conference scout said, "so you have to take the sure thing."

"Luka has size and elite playmaking and shooting right this second," a Western Conference executive said. "He impacts winning. I believe his game is not only sustainable, but has the ability to continue to get better."

"Health," said a Western Conference scout when asked why he had Williamson third. "He'd be [No. 1] otherwise.

"Those other guys are going to be great for 10-plus years. There's just too much [injury] risk [with Williamson]. Now, if I want to just be great now? Take him. He's just unique and great for today's NBA."